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Summary: Recreational marijuana use is now legal in five states and the District of Columbia but still banned by the federal government.
The recreational use of marijuana is legal in Alaska, Washington, Colorado, the District of Columbia, and now Oregon. The voters in Oregon passed Measure 91 by a close 56 percent. Starting today, adults 21 and over can legally keep up to eight ounces of it in their home and carry up to one ounce on them outside. Adults are also allowed to grow up to four plants per household that is out of public view.
It is not legal to buy or sell marijuana, although some organizations are giving it away. Licenses are not expected to be given out by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission until next year. House and Senate approval is still in the process for dispensaries to sell weed to the public as early as October 1st. There are already 269 dispensaries for medical marijuana in the state. There are more dispensaries than there are Starbucks or McDonalds locations in Oregon.
The states that had already passed the legal use of marijuana have seen higher tax revenue, police and courts overloaded with misdemeanor weed offenders, and reduced crime in the industry since the black market need has reduced. As long as you aren’t smoking in a public place, you shouldn’t have issues with the police.
The law was written to make marijuana like wine and beer. Casual and responsible users will be able to enjoy the product without being criminals. Seven percent of the arrests in Oregon were for possession of small amounts of marijuana. People of color were more than twice as likely to be cited for marijuana charges.
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The Democratic Representative, Earl Blumenauer says that now Oregon can focus their efforts away from responsible adults using to those that will give marijuana to children. The state is also working towards a solution so that convictions can be cleared the records of some.
Marijuana is still banned by the federal government.
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/01/marijuana-legal-oregon_n_7701238.html
Photo: economist.com
